McCumber, O.A.

ROBINSON, RICHARDS, PECK, FRANKLIN, FORTSCH

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/19/2010 at 10:05:36

O.A. McCumber, the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, Dayton township, which he has operated for the past twenty-seven years, has served continuously as township assessor since 1891, his incumbency covering a longer period than that of any other like official in the county. He came to Bremer county in 1855 and is one of its few remaining citizens who took up their abode here at that early day. His birth occurred near Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois, on the 12th of June, 1846, his parents being Albert and Achsa McCumber, who were born, reared and married in New York. The father's birth occurred on the 1st of September, 1818, while the mother's natal day was July 25, 1825. They removed to Boone county, Illinois, in an early day but subsequently returned to the Empire state and thence came to Bremer county, Iowa, in 1855. Albert McCumber acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 31, Dayton township, and there carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1892. His widow, who still resides in Dayton township and has attained the age of eighty-eight years, is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community which has been her home for almost six decades. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: O.A., of this review; Augustus, who died at the age of seven years; Jane, who passed away in childhood; Marquis C., whose demise occurred in early manhood; William, a resident of Waverly; Ida, who is the wife of William Robinson, of Webster, South Dakots; Albert, who passed away at the age of twenty years; C.L., a real estate dealer of Tripoli, Iowa; and Mary, who gave her hand in marriage to Seth Richards, of Dayton township.

O.A. McCumber, who was a lad of nine years when brought to this county by his parents, acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age. On attaining his majority he began providing for his own support by breaking prairie, using three and four yoke of oxen. Subsequently he purchased forty acres of land in Dayton township and later embarked in business as a merchant, conducting a store in that township. In 1886 he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of section 31, Dayton township, in the operation of which he has been continuously and successfully engaged throughout the intervening twenty-seven years. He devotes his attention to general farming and has met with a well merited measure of success in his undertakings, enjoying a gratifying annual income.

In Illinois, Mr. McCumber was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Mary Peck, a native of New York city, who passed away on the 10th of August, 1909. Their children are four in number, namely: Frank, who is a resident of North Dakota; Ella, the wife of Thomas Franklin, of North Dakota; Edward, at home; and Ray, who wedded Miss Clara B. Fortsch and follows farming in Sumner township

For the past thirty years Mr. McCumber has given his political allegiance to the democracy. He has held various township offices and has served in the capacity of assessor during the past twenty-two years, making a highly creditable and commendable record in that connection. A resident of Dayton township since 1855, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in all the relations of life have gained him a high place in the regard and good-will of his fellow townsmen.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914